Myers: No to fourth term as AG

Attorney General Hardy Myers announced Tuesday that he would not seek a fourth term in office.

"This decision is not the result of any waning of my desire to serve the people of Oregon as attorney general," said Myers, a Democrat.

Rather, he'll be turning 68 in October and running for re-election "would have me pushing hard on the age envelope."

Myers has a long career in government. In addition to nearly 12 years as attorney general, he is a former speaker of the Oregon House.

The Oregon Department of Justice has more than 1,300 employees and a $380 million budget.

"My decision is second the result of the conviction that the department of justice deserves and benefits from regular change in its highest leadership with the result of the infusion of new energy and perspectives," he said.

Although no candidates have announced they are running, possible successors include state Rep. Greg Macpherson, D-Portland, and John Kroger, a former federal prosecutor and professor and Lewis & Clark Law School. Both said they would have announcements soon about their plans.